Why David Ward's plans backfired

Jean Todt will stay on as FIA president after his only rival David Ward withdrew from the election this week. DIETER RENCKEN spoke to Ari Vatanen, the man who lost against Todt in the previous election, about why Ward's campaign fizzled out

It looked to be the first challenge of an incumbent FIA president since Max Mosley took on Jean-Marie Balestre back in the early '90s, but in the end it fizzled out as first one, then the second wannabe withdrew ahead of Nomination Day, November 15.

Keen observers hoped for a showdown between Mosley's successor Jean Todt and the disgraced former president's associate for almost 20 years, David Ward, but on Thursday the former FIA Foundation director-general withdrew from the race after failing to fulfil the FIA's requirements.